Southern Region Public Access Areas

TFG has opened thousands of acres of land for public access across the Southern region through cooperative programs with the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. Additional information describing each public access areas is provided below.

Boone Forestlands WMA

Location: Bell, Harlan, & Leslie Counties, Kentucky

Boone Forestlands WMA is the result of a cooperative agreement between the owner, Boone Forestlands, LLC (managed by The Forestland Group, LLC) and the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. The area consists of reclaimed surface mines and forested land located in several disjointed tracts. The public should be aware that active surface mine sites, deep mines, and the coal washing facility are off-limits.

Visit the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources website to view maps and additional information about the Boone Forestlands WMA area:

The area lies between KY 66 and US 421 south of Hal Rogers PKWY in the area where Clay, Bell and Leslie counties meet. The area is a mixture of mature hardwoods and reclaimed coal mining land. The strip benches and other remains of mining Elk Forest WMA provide access to interior.

The area is open to statewide regulations for deer, turkey, small game hunting. There are few viable fishing opportunities on the area. Be sure to follow all signage as some areas are off-limits to the public.

Visit the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources website to view maps and additional information about the Elk Forest WMA area: